Coconut Oil your Acne Away!
Acne has been a source of distress for men and women alike for what seems like forever. Not only is it uncomfortable and often painful, it also tends to be a serious deterrent to self-confidence, especially in teenagers. With the marvellous medical advancements of this era, you would think there would be a more permanent solution to something as common yet irksome as acne. Unfortunately, despite the topical and internal treatments, there is no surefire cure to acne. Thankfully, there are certainly ways to control and minimise their occurrence. Applying any kind of oil might seem like a counterproductive way of dealing with acne, but it helps immensely. Especially if that oil is cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil.
It is important to understand the way our skin works to understand acne. Our skin has fascinating ways of protecting and taking care of itself. It is naturally waterproof and self-lubricating. The surface of the skin contains sebaceous glands that secrete a waxy material called sebum that helps it do exactly that. Sebum is essential for healthy skin but sometimes the over-excretion of it can lead to acne. Thankfully, coconut oil is a great source of Vitamin E that helps in clearing excess sebum off of the skin. Vitamin E also clears pores so as to avoid blockages that lead to blackheads.
Acne tends to cause inflammation and redness in and around the affected area. Coconut oil is a great way to combat this as it is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It is quickly absorbed by the skin without leaving any sticky residue. Lauric acid and capric acid, found in coconut oil kill off strains of bacteria that can aggravate acne. Coconut oil also cools the skin down thereby reducing further chances of excess production of sebum. Apart from treating acne, coconut oil also moisturises and repairs the skin. It helps in keeping skin cells healthy and hydrated. It also quickens the healing of scars and prevents further infection.
If you have oily or sensitive skin, it is important to ease into coconut oil usage for your face. Test out your skin’s response by applying a small amount of coconut oil to your face before bed. It is important to have a clean pillow to avoid possible contact with dust and debris. Also, make sure to use cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil rather than refined oil.
Acne can be unpleasant but it is important to remember that almost everyone gets them! It is nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about. Sometimes all our skin needs a little bit of help to combat them. Something natural and chemical-free that nourishes and gently repairs our skin back to its youthful glow. That something doesn’t have to be an expensive cream with an unpronounceable name. It could just be a humble jar of coconut oil that gets the job done!